The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahuannounced this Monday that it will delay the approval in Parliament of a judicial reform promoted by its Government to “avoid a civil war”after months of mass protests that reached their climax this week.
In a message to the nation at the close of another day of anti-reform protests and a first counter-demonstration in favor of the initiative, Netanyahu said he wanted time to seek compromise with his political opponents on the controversial initiative.
The prime minister said that the final adoption of the different bills of the reform was postponed to the next parliamentary session that will open after the Easter holidays, from April 5 to 13, thus giving in partly to the demands of the opponents.
Netanyahu said that he was aware of the growing tensions in Israeli society and the will to resolve them.
However, he affirmed that there is an “extremist minority” that is “ripping Israel apart” and condemned the decision of reservist soldiers not to serve in the Army in rejection of the reform of the judicial system, which gives more power to the Government in the process of appointment of judges.
The prime minister said he has repeatedly called for dialogue on reform, but this has not prevented a serious crisis in Israeli society. “There must not be a civil war”The Times of Israel reported.
“When there is an option to avoid civil war through dialogue, I, as prime minister, take time off for dialogue,” he added.
In any case, he said that “the majority” of his allies support the measure and that the reform will end up being approved in one way or another.
Source: Ambito
